Grantham Town Under 16s beat Tranmere Rovers to reach the final of the Junior Premier League National Cup

Grantham Town Under 16s have reached the Junior Premier League National Cup final.

They secured their spot in the final after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over two-time finalists Tranmere Rovers following an initial thrilling 3-3 draw.

Having won the National Cup at Under 12 level in 2021, the now Under 16 team battled back from 0-2 down to lead 3-2, only for a last minute penalty to be converted by Tranmere to take the tie to a shoot-out.

The recent Lincolnshire County Cup winners were taken aback by Rovers' quick start as the conditions played a part in their opening goal.

Grantham goalkeeper Harri Bexon had to come out of his box to clear a ball played into the right channel but, kicking against the wind, his clearance fell to the feet of the big number 17 for Tranmere who hit a half volley from 40 yards that looped into the far corner of the net and beyond the scrambling arms of the home custodian.

It was 2-0 three minutes later as a cross from the left was headed away at the far post but the loose ball dropped nicely for the number 17 again to volley into the corner via a deflection.

Moments later, another shot from the edge of the box was saved well by Bexon as Tranmere looked to put the game out of reach early in the contest.

It was not the start Town had hoped for but to their credit they continued to battle away knowing the next goal in the game would be crucial.

They did just that on the 20-minute mark as a free-kick out on the right hand side was swung in by Maks Nowak and Nikolas Adamopoulos rose high to head in from the edge of the six yard box.

Adamopoulos then had a free-kick on the edge of the box that agonisingly curled a foot wide of the post.

Tranmere responded with an opportunity at the other end as the right winger ghosted in unmarked and looked certain to score but Bexon stood strong to block at close range.

Another wide free-kick for Grantham saw the loose ball drop to Ollie Harness 10 yards out but his first time swipe at the ball flew inches over the crossbar.

The second half started with Grantham going in search of the equaliser.

It nearly came following a scramble in the visitors' box with the ball eventually being prodded towards goal by Gethan Flint but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.

Flint had another similar effort moments later with the ball dropping to his feet from a long throw but again his low strike fell comfortably for the keeper.

However, a minute later, Grantham forced a corner kick on the left side. Jacob Price swung in the delivery and Adamopoulos headed in his second of the game at the back post to bring the scores level.

Then, only four minutes later, after more Grantham pressure, they won another corner - this time on the right.

Price clipped the ball over to the far post for Adamopoulos to leap up and nod the ball into the net to complete a hat-trick of headed goals for the Gingerbreads number seven and give them the lead in the match for the first time.

With around 10 minutes left in the game plus injury time, Tranmere pushed forward looking for an equaliser and Grantham continued to battle and compete for every ball.

This time they had a lead to protect and it looked for all the world that they had done the job until, with 30 seconds left of added time, Tranmere forced a corner.

As the ball drifted into the box there was a tussle at the far post with the Rovers forward adjudged to have had his shirt pulled in the process.

The referee pointed to the spot, much to the despair of the Town players, and the penalty was duly converted with the last kick of the game, taking it to a shoot-out.

The scores were level at 2-2 after four kicks with Aston Taylor and Harley Webster converting for Town.

Goalkeeper Bexon saved Tranmere's third after diving away to his right before Henry Thomas put Grantham 3-2 ahead.

Bexon saved again by diving low to his right to palm the ball away and the stage was set for Ollie Harness who stroked his penalty into the corner and cue jubilant celebrations on the pitch and the sidelines.

Grantham will now face Newport Pagnell in the JPL Cup Final to be held at Doncaster Rovers' Eco-Power Stadium on May 10.